Humanizing escorts

Fine Arts

by David-Elijah Nahmod

On Jan. 4, a lively crowd of about 100 attended the Magnet
SF opening of Escort: The Classic Beauty of Male Sex Workersin San Francisco.
The show serves as a month-long exhibition of
photographs taken by Tom Schmidt, and as a launch party for Schmidt's new book
featuring many of the photos. Schmidt, a member of the Radical Faeries, is also
known by his Faery name, Dot. The event raised funds for St. James Infirmary, a
South of Market medical clinic that provides health services for sex workers
and their partners.

According to director Steve Gibson, Magnet is the perfect
venue for the Escort opening. "Magnet
promotes the health and well-being of gay men in San Francisco," Gibson
told the B.A.R. during the party.
"We believe that the health of the community means creating opportunities
for gay men to come together to share their common experiences." Magnet
services includes providing STD and HIV testing.

The men in Schmidt's photos debunk the stereotype of the
sleazy, burnt-out gay male street hustler. These men are vibrant and healthy in
appearance. Some of the models are nude in the photos, while others could be
posing for a fashion magazine. One photo features gay porn star Antonio Biaggi
elegantly draped in a long, flowing cape. In another photo, two lovely young
men, possibly a couple, stand together nude. One has his hand wrapped around
the other, while the second touches his partner's cheek. They're kissing each
other gently.

Cyd Nova, an FTM transgender, poses in a pair of shorts with
his fists displayed. An activist for sex workers' rights and health care, Nova
looks more like a prizefighter than an escort. Nova currently serves as the
Harm Reduction Coordinator at St. James Infirmary.

"My intent was not to sexualize them," Schmidt
said at the event. "I wanted to show escorts who were real people. They
can be sexy and beautiful. They're not what you expect. They're not completely
defined by escorting. They're students, activists, software engineers, artists,
uncles, and brothers."

For Starchild, a longtime bisexual-identified escort and
occasional political candidate, participating in Escort
was a chance to break down barriers. "We're
still socially marginalized by law," he said to the B.A.R.
as he sipped a glass of wine. "It's good to see
positive representation of us in the community."

Escort: The Classic Beauty of
Male Sex Workers in San Francisco is on display through Jan. at Magnet
SF, 4122 18th St., SF. The Escort book
is available at Blurb.com or
photobydot@yahoo.com.